The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four engine heavy bomber that first flew in 1935 and was used extensively by the United States Army Air Forces in the daylight bombing campaign over Europe during the Second World War. Named for its heavy defensive armament of machine guns, it became one of the most produced American bombers of the war and a lasting symbol of the strategic bombing campaign against Germany.
Facts
SignificanceDropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II and is the third most produced bomber in history. 1 Manufacturer or Builder Connections
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
WikipediaLead section, second paragraph (USAAC competition)
In a USAAC competition, Boeing's prototype Model 299/XB-17 outperformed two other entries but crashed, losing the initial 200-bomber contract to the Douglas B-18 Bolo.
Development section, first flight paragraph
The first flight of the Model 299 was on 28 July 1935 with Boeing chief test pilot Leslie Tower at the controls.
Lead section, second sentence
A fast and high-flying bomber used primarily in the European Theater of Operations, the B-17 dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. It is the third-most produced bomber in history, behind the American four-engined Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the German multirole, twin-engined Junkers Ju 88.
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